Farmers and pesticide applicators planning to use auxin products in 2023 have more options for training this year, compared to years past. (This applies specifically to applicators using over-the-top dicamba products such as XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium on dicamba-tolerant crops.) The auxin training options include live Zoom meetings or prerecorded videos offered through N.C. State University Cooperative Extension, plus training through the individual product manufacturers. Previously, the industry training did not meet North Carolina’s requirements.
A 2017 auxin training class shows a traditional in-person session.
“We wanted to give our growers as many options as possible to receive the training,” said Dr. Charlie Cahoon, extension weed specialist and NCSU assistant professor.
NCSU Extension plans to continue the Auxin Herbicides-Best Management Practices for 2023 in a hybrid format. This training was previously the only training that met the state’s requirement. This year, in addition to the NCSU Extension training, applicators are welcome to fulfill their training requirement via trainings offered by manufacturers. See below for details related to trainings offered by BASF, Bayer and Syngenta.
Although encouraged, applicators using 2,4-D Enlist products are NOT required to receive training.
“This adds some variety, especially for applicators who have been through the Extension training before,” said Patrick Jones, the deputy director of pesticide programs in the department’s Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division. “Giving applicators extra options to watch one of the pre-recorded training videos from the manufacturers may also help avoid some internet connection issues. Some applicators ran into problems trying to join the live Zoom trainings online. So being able to stay home and watch a video may work better for some of them.”
Following is information on all training options including training dates for Live Zoom meetings.
Option 1: Live Zoom: 2023 Auxin Herbicides-Best Management Practices
Description: Cahoon and Dr. Wesley Everman will offer five Live Zoom training options. See training dates below. All Live Zoom trainings will start at 8:30 a.m. Participants will use the same Zoom link and passcode provided for each individual Live Zoom meeting.
Attendee Requirements:
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- Registration is required before attendee can join the Live Zoom training (this can be completed just before joining the Zoom session).
- Attendee must include name, email address, phone number, county and NCDA&CS Certification/License number at registration.
- To receive credit for a virtual training, NCDA&CS requires the following of all attendees:
- Identity verification at the beginning of the course and after any breaks
- Active participation by each attendee throughout course to ensure attendee is present (polling questions will be used for Live Zoom meetings).
- Attendance must be taken at the end of the course.
- No partial credit will be given for those that arrive late or leave early.
Dates for Live Zoom meetings
Thursday, Jan. 19 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 14, 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 29, 8:30 a.m.
Option 2: Pre-recorded video: 2023 Auxin Herbicides-Best Management Practices
Description: Drs. Charlie Cahoon and Wesley Everman will provide a pre-recorded video of the 2023 Auxin Herbicides-Best Management Training. As in the past, agents can access the pre-recorded video at the Coordinator’s Corner website (https://pesticidesafety.ces.ncsu.edu/pesticidesafety-coordinators-corner/). This video can be incorporated into winter meetings (live or virtual) scheduled by County Agricultural Agents. If used in conjunction with a virtual meeting, see NCDA&CS requirement for active participation above. If incorporated into a face-to-face meeting, agents will capture attendance normally by hard-copy rosters or scanning pesticide license upon entry.
Option 3: Manufacturer’s Training Options
- BASF
Any applicator who is planning to apply a dicamba-based herbicide on a dicamba-tolerant cropping system is required to take annual dicamba applicator training. To learn more about training and opportunities available from BASF, go to https://www.engeniaherbicide.com/training.html. Training sessions will be loaded in early 2023 and include online, in-person, and live webinar options.
- Bayer
Bayer encourages any individual seeking information on dicamba training to visit: Dicamba Training and Application Requirements | Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System at roundupreadyxtend.com.
On this page, you will find information on two different training options and can register for the method that best suits your learning preference. You will also find many additional resources available to you.
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- Self-Paced Online Training
- Guided Live Webinar Training & Limited In-person events
- The site also contains many additional resources
- Syngenta
Below is the link to access the Syngenta dicamba training module. It is found under the Supporting Materials section by clicking the Visit Dicamba Training box.